By PAN PYLAS

LONDON (AP) — The U.K., Australia and Canada confirmed Sunday that they are formally recognizing a Palestinian state despite vociferous opposition from the U.S. and Israel.

The coordinated initiative from the Commonwealth nations and long-time allies of Israel reflects growing outrage at Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza and the steps taken by the Israeli government to thwart any efforts to create a Palestinian state, including by the continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has faced pressure to take a harder line on Israel within his own governing Labour Party, said the U.K.’s move is intended “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis,” while insisting that it wasn’t a reward for Hamas.

“Today,

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